Absorbent Article with Color Matched Surfaces

ABSTRACT

A disposable absorbent article includes one or more regions. The absorbent article also includes at least three discrete elements. Each of the three discrete elements includes at least one visible surface, and at least three or more of the visible surfaces include an imparted color. The imparted color may include colors that are color matched. Color matching exists when said colors are contained within a specified CIELab color space volume, have a specified hue difference, or total color difference.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/950,629 filed on Nov. 24, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/903,004 filed on Jul. 30, 2004, which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This invention is directed to disposable absorbent articles, such asdiapers, training pants, adult incontinence articles, feminineprotection articles and the like wherein the article comprises elementsthat are quantitatively color matched according to InternationalCommission on Illumination L*a*b* system (hereinafter “CIELab” from theFrench title Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) to achieve aharmonic flow of colors in the article.

BACKGROUND

Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, pull-on diapers, trainingpants, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, incontinence briefs, and the like,are well known in the art and are highly effective for absorbing andcontaining urine and other bodily exudates. Since their introductioninto the marketplace, absorbent articles have continued to improveregarding fit and functionality. For example, absorbent articles areconstructed to provide a snug and comfortable fit around the waist andlegs of a wearer. Diapers are able to contain large quantities ofexudates without leakage or adverse impact to the wearer's skin.

However, diapers have not advanced quite as significantly in regard toaesthetic design. Since the inception of commercially availabledisposable diapers, the diaper's predominant color is that which isinherent within the materials selected for construction. The materialsare generally a white color often achieved by the use of pigments suchas titanium dioxide. Limited graphics are now commonplace in mostdiapers. These graphics include unique patterns and non-white colors.Only recently have manufacturers tried to imbue color over anincreasingly larger surface of the diaper and over substantiallydifferent components of the diaper. Increasing the color content of anabsorbent article is desirable in that the article begins to appear morelike a traditional child's cloth undergarment. The diaper appears moreunderwear-like and less readily identifiable as a diaper. One problemthat has resulted from initial attempts to impart color oversubstantially different components of the diaper is color mismatching.

Ensuring that colors within a diaper match is important but difficult toachieve. A diaper having matching colors communicates to the consumerthat the product is of high quality and differentiates the product frominferior competitors' products. A diaper having matching colors isholistically pleasing and is believed to be preferred by consumers.However, absorbent articles are difficult products to color match.Diapers are comprised of a variety of materials. Printing, coating, orimpregnating are well known methods for imparting color, but not allmaterials used in diaper construction are amenable to each of thesemethods. As a result, one material may only be colored by printing orcoating while a different material adjacent to the first may only acceptimpregnation of color. Even if two different materials are amenable to asingle method for imparting color, the imparted color may appearmismatched between the two materials in the finished product. Manysurfaces of a diaper are laminates whereby the color-bearing layer iscovered by a second layer. The resulting laminate exhibits a muted colorcompared to the color of the color-bearing layer. Furthermore, thetexture of the material may also adversely impact the color imparted.

A further problem in color matching is determining when two surfaceshave matching colors. Reliance on human discernment of color differencesor matching is undependable because color differentiation is a highlyvariable personal characteristic. As a result, what appears to be colormatched to one observer may be distinguishable to another. Furthermore,quantifying the highly qualitative concept of human discernment of colordifferences or matching between two or more surfaces is very difficult.

SUMMARY

In response to the difficulties and problems described herebefore, adisposable absorbent article is disclosed having color matched elementsaccording to CIELab color space calculations.

In some embodiments, a disposable absorbent article includes one or moreregions. The absorbent article further includes three discrete, unlikeelements disposed on the one or more regions. Each of the threediscrete, unlike elements includes a wearer-facing surface and agarment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facing surface. Eachof the wearer-facing surfaces of two of the three discrete, unlikeelements include an internally visible surface when viewing thewearer-facing surface while the absorbent article is stretched such thatthe absorbent article is substantially planar. The garment-facingsurface of one of the three discrete, unlike elements includes anexternally visible surface when viewing the garment-facing surface whilethe absorbent article is fitted to a wearer. Each externally visiblesurface and each internally visible surface includes an imparted color.The imparted colors of the three discrete, unlike elements are within aCIELab color space volume of less than about 190.

In some embodiments, a disposable absorbent article includes one or moreregions. The absorbent article also includes three discrete, unlikeelement disposed on the one or more regions. Each of the three discrete,unlike elements includes a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facingsurface oriented opposite the wearer-facing surface. Each of thewearer-facing surfaces of two of the three discrete, unlike elementsinclude an internally visible surface when viewing the wearer-facingsurface while the absorbent article is stretched such that the absorbentarticle is substantially planar. The garment-facing surface of one ofthe three discrete, unlike elements includes an externally visiblesurface when viewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbentarticle is fitted to a wearer. Each externally visible surface and eachinternally visible surface include an imparted color. The impartedcolors of the three discrete, unlike elements are within a CIELab colorspace hue difference of less than about 4.

In some embodiments, a disposable absorbent article includes one or moreregions. The absorbent article further comprises three discrete, unlikeelements disposed on the one or more regions. Each of the threediscrete, unlike elements includes a wearer-facing surface and agarment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facing surface. Thewearer-facing surface of two of the three discrete, unlike elementincludes an internally visible surface when viewing the wearer-facingsurface while the absorbent article is stretched such that the absorbentarticle is substantially planar. The garment-facing surface of one ofthe three discrete, unlike elements includes an externally visiblesurface when viewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbentarticle is fitted to a wearer. Each of the externally visible surfaceand the internally visible surface include an imparted color. Theimparted colors of the three discrete, unlike elements are within aCIELab total color difference of less than about 10.

In some embodiments, a disposable absorbent article includes a first, asecond, and a third discrete, unlike element. Each of the first, second,and third discrete, unlike elements include a wearer-facing surface anda garment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facing surface.Each of the wearer-facing surfaces of the first discrete, unlike elementand the second, discrete unlike element includes an internally visiblesurface when viewing the wearer-facing surface while the absorbentarticle is stretched such that the absorbent article is substantiallyplanar. The garment-facing surface of the third discrete, unlike elementincludes an externally visible surface when viewing the garment-facingsurface while the absorbent article is fitted to a wearer. Eachinternally visible surface and externally visible surface include animparted color. At least two of the three discrete, unlike elementsinclude different imparted colors, and the imparted colors of the threediscrete, unlike elements are within a CIELab color space volume of lessthan about 190. Further, at least one discrete element includes alaminate material, and at least one lamina of the laminate materialexhibits an imparted color not within the CIELab color space volume ofless than about 190.

In some embodiments, a disposable absorbent article includes one or moreregions. The absorbent article also includes three discrete, unlikeelement disposed on the one or more regions. Each of the three discrete,unlike elements include a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facingsurface oriented opposite the wearer-facing surface. The wearer-facingsurface of one of the three discrete, unlike elements includes aninternally visible surface when viewing the wearer-facing surface whilethe absorbent article is stretched such that the absorbent article issubstantially planar. The garment-facing surfaces of two of the threediscrete, unlike elements include an externally visible surface whenviewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbent article is fittedto a wearer. Each externally visible surface and each internally visiblesurface includes an imparted color. The imparted colors of the threediscrete, unlike elements are within a CIELab color space volume of lessthan about 190.

In some embodiments, a disposable absorbent article includes one or moreregions. The absorbent article also includes three discrete, unlikeelement disposed on the one or more regions. Each of the three discrete,unlike elements includes a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facingsurface oriented opposite the wearer-facing surface. The wearer-facingsurface of one of the three discrete, unlike elements includes aninternally visible surface when viewing the wearer-facing surface whilethe absorbent article is stretched such that the absorbent article issubstantially planar. Each of the garment-facing surfaces of two of thethree discrete, unlike elements includes an externally visible surfacewhen viewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbent article isfitted to a wearer. Each externally visible surface and each internallyvisible surface include an imparted color. The imparted colors of thethree discrete, unlike elements are within a CIELab color space huedifference of less than about 4.

The elements may include a backsheet, a barrier leg cuff, a waistband, afastening system, a landing zone, a side panel, a fastening tab, andcombinations thereof.

Additionally, an element may further comprise a laminate materialwherein the laminate material comprises at least one lamina exhibitingan imparted color and wherein the imparted color of the lamina and theimparted color of the element are not color matched.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a disposable diaper embodiment of thepresent invention with portions cut away to reveal underlying structure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the Commission Internationale del'Eclairage L*a*b* color space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “absorbent article” refers to devices thatabsorb and contain body exudates, and more specifically, refers todevices that are placed against or in proximity to the body of thewearer to absorb and contain the various exudates discharged from thebody.

As used herein, the term “disposable” refers to absorbent articles whichgenerally are not intended to be laundered or otherwise restored orreused as an absorbent article (i.e., they are intended to be discardedafter a single use and, preferably, to be recycled, composted orotherwise discarded in an environmentally compatible manner).

As used herein, the term “element” refers to the separate and discreteparts that must be united together to form the absorbent article. Eachelement may comprise one or more lamina. Furthermore, elements may sharea common, continuous lamina that has not been subjected to a colorationtechnique yielding an imparted color. However, elements may not share acommon, continuous lamina that has been subjected to a colorationtechnique yielding an imparted color.

As used herein, the term “disposed” is used to mean that an element(s)of the diaper is formed (joined and positioned) in a particular place orposition as a unitary structure with other elements of the diaper or asa separate element joined to another element of the diaper.

As used herein, the term “wearer-facing surface” refers to a surfaceoriented towards the body when fitted to a wearer.

As used herein, the term “garment-facing surface” refers to a surfaceoriented opposite the wearer-facing surface when fitted to a wearer.

As used herein, the term “joined” encompasses configurations whereby anelement is directly secured to another element by affixing the elementdirectly to the other element, and configurations whereby an element isindirectly secured to another element by affixing the element tointermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other element.

As used herein, the term “unitary” absorbent article refers to absorbentarticles that are formed of separate elements united together to form acoordinated entity so that they do not require separate manipulativeparts like a separate holder and liner.

As used herein, the term “externally visible surface,” refers to avisible surface that a human viewer may visually discern with theunaided eye (excepting standard corrective lenses adapted to compensatefor near-sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) in standardlighting conditions from a point of reference of viewing thegarment-facing surface of the article immediately after properapplication. Preferably, the externally visible surface of an elementmay be color matched according to the present invention.

As used herein, the term “internally visible surface,” refers to avisible surface that a human viewer may visually discern with theunaided eye (excepting standard corrective lenses adapted to compensatefor near-sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism) in standardlighting conditions from a point of reference viewing the wearer-facingsurface of the article in plan view (i.e., the article is stretched suchthat the wearer-facing surface is substantially planar).

As used herein, “standard lighting conditions” refer to lightingconditions in which human vision operates efficiently (e.g., the humaneye is able to discern complex patterns, shading, and colors).Specifically, for the purposes of describing this invention, standardlighting conditions are at least one of the following:

-   -   a) natural illumination as experienced outdoors during daylight        hours,    -   b) the illumination of a standard 100 watt incandescent white        light bulb at a distance of 2 meters, or    -   c) as defined by CIE D65 standard illuminate lighting at 800 lux        to a 1964 CIE standard observer.

As used herein, the term “diaper” refers to an absorbent articlegenerally worn by infants and incontinent persons about the lower torso.The present invention is also applicable to other absorbent articlessuch as incontinence briefs, incontinence undergarments, absorbentinserts, diaper holders and liners, feminine hygiene garments, and thelike.

As used herein, the term “color matched” refers to colors that fallwithin a prescribed color space volume, that have a prescribed colorspace hue difference, and/or that have a prescribed total colordifference.

A diaper is generally constructed from a variety of elements that arejoined together. The various elements of diaper construction generallyhave at least one visible surface. It is desirable for the diaper tocomprise a topsheet, a backsheet, and at least one additional componentwherein each element may have at least one visible surface. Visiblesurface implies a surface (i) that is visually discernible withouttearing, ripping, puncturing, or otherwise mutilating the article and(ii) that has been subjected to a coloration technique resulting in animparted color. A surface initially not a visible surface maysubsequently become a visible surface during storage, application, wear,or disposal. For example, a protective cover may be removed from anadhesive tab within a fastening system. The removal of the protectivecover may reveal a visible surface on the adhesive tab. Generally, theelements of the diaper will contain two surfaces typically oriented witha wearer-facing surface, which is typically an internally visiblesurface, and a garment-facing surface, which is typically an externallyvisible surface. Color matching may occur between internally visiblesurfaces, externally visible surfaces, or both. In one embodiment, colormatching will occur between the externally visible surfaces of theelements including a backsheet, a leg cuff, a waist feature, a fasteningsystem, a landing zone, a side panel, a handle, a fastening tab, andcombinations thereof.

The various colors exhibited by a diaper may generally be divided intotwo categories. Inherent colors are typically colors with little to nochroma. Qualitatively, inherent colors represent the white to off-whitecolors traditionally associated with diapers. The inherent color isusually the color of the raw material that comprises the visiblesurfaces. The whiteness of the material may be manipulated, such as byprinting, coating, or impregnating a substrate with titanium dioxidepigment. More specifically and quantitatively, inherent colors are thosecolors with a CIELab chroma value, C*, of less than about 6 (formulaprovided below). Imparted colors are those colors printed, coated, orimpregnated onto or into the visible surface of the diaper. Impartedcolors are those colors with a CIELab C* of greater than about 6.Visible surfaces generally contain an inherent color and may contain oneor more imparted colors.

It is further recognized that a visible surface having an imparted colormay comprise a single stratum or may be a laminate comprising more thanone lamina. Regarding a single stratum, the imparted color is impartedonto or within that stratum. Regarding a laminate, color may be impartedonto or within one or more of the lamina. For example, a laminategenerally may comprise an exterior lamina (i.e., the layer closest inproximity within the line of sight of an observer; e.g., agarment-facing surface) and at least one interior lamina. One or more ofthe lamina may have an imparted color. For example, the laminate maycomprise an exterior lamina with no imparted color and at least oneinterior lamina with an imparted color. When the diaper is viewed, theimparted color of the interior lamina provides the coloration for thelaminate as a whole. Thus, the perceptible color of the laminate as awhole is the result of the exterior lamina and other optional interiorlaminae possibly diffusing and shifting the imparted color of theinterior lamina. As a result, the imparted color of the laminate as awhole may be different (i.e., not color matched) as compared to theimparted color of the individual lamina if viewed in isolation.Additionally, the exterior lamina and one or more interior laminae mayexhibit imparted colors such that the imparted color of the individuallamina when viewed in isolation are not color matched with the impartedcolor of the laminate as a whole.

The imparted color on a visible surface may be provided by a variety ofcoloration techniques that are well known in the art. Color may beprovided to a visible surface by coloration techniques including, butnot limited to, printing, coating, and impregnating. Various printingmethods may be used to impart color including, but not limited to,letterpress, flexography, gravure, offset lithography, screen, andinkjet. All methods are well known in the art.

Letterpress, the oldest method of printing, involves ink or otherequivalent material being applied to the top of a raised surface. Thissurface is pressed against a substrate, thus transferring the ink to thesubstrate. Flexographic printing uses a printing plate, oftencylindrical, made of rubber, plastic, or other flexible material. Ink isapplied to a raised image on the plate. The plate is then placed incontact with a substrate, and ink is transferred to the substrate.Water-based and solvent-based inks are used in flexography. Most inksused are fast drying which makes flexography particularly well-suitedfor printing on plastics, foils, compressible surfaces, and othernonabsorbent substrate.

Gravure printing uses a print cylinder having depressions of varyingdepths that are etched into the cylinder. This method of printing isperformed by partially immersing the etched cylinder (generally about afourth of the cylinder diameter) into an enclosed fountain or trough ofink. The etched cells, which produce the image, are filled with ink, andthe surface the cylinder also becomes coated with ink. Since the surfaceof the cylinder is non-image producing, ink is not desirable on thecylinder surface. This undesired ink is removed by a doctor blade orknife which wipes all of the surface ink from the cylinder. As theprinting cylinder comes in contact with the substrate, the ink containedwithin the cells is transferred to the substrate. Gravure is ideal forcontinuous printing operations and the printing of very long runs.Generally, solvent-based inks are used in gravure printing.

Lithographic printing, or offset lithography, is a printing method thatutilizes surface characteristics on an image carrying offset plate.Offset plates are typically made from a thin paper, plastic, or a metalsheet which once exposed and processed can be wrapped around a cylinderof a press for printing. The offset plate contains two areas: an imagearea that is hydrophobic and a non-image area that is hydrophilic. Whilethe basic principle is common, there are many differences between offsetplates and the method they use to separate the image from the non-imageareas. Generally, ink adheres to the hydrophobic image area while beingrepelled from the hydrophilic non-image area. The ink and watered offsetplate may be printed on a second cylinder usually coated in rubber. Thesecond cylinder then off-sets this ink and water impression onto thesubstrate.

Screen printing utilizes a porous screen made from silk or otherpolymeric material. The screen is attached to a frame. A stencil isproduced on the screen either photo-mechanically or manually. Thenon-printing areas are protected by the stencil. Printing is done on thesubstrate under the screen by applying a viscous ink to the screen. Theink is forced through the fine openings of the screen with a rubbersqueegee or roller.

Inkjet printing is a non-impact dot-matrix technology where ink dropletsare jetted from a small aperture directly to specified positions on amedium to create an image. Inkjet printing may be done on a continuousmethod or a drop-on-demand method. Continuous inkjet printing involves acontinuous stream of ink droplets. Generally, the ink droplets may becharged by a charge electrode. If the droplets are not charged, thedroplet travels directly to the substrate through and unimpeded by avoltage carrying plate. Droplets that are charged are deflected by thevoltage carrying plate. If diverted, the droplet is captured andrecirculated prior to reaching the substrate. Another continuous inkjetmethod charges all droplets and the voltage plate controls dropletplacement onto the substrate or diversion. Drop-on-demand inkjetprinting, as the name implies, provides an ink droplet only when needed.Droplets are formed by a variety of methods with thermal andpiezoelectric drop formation being most common. Thermal inkjet printinginvolves the ink droplets being expelled from a nozzle by the rapidexpansion of an ink vapor bubble created by a small heater.Piezoelectric inkjet printing involves the ink droplets being expelledfrom a nozzle by a pressure wave created from the expansion of apiezoelectric ceramic upon application of a voltage. Inkjet printingtechniques are well known in the art as described in Hue. P. Le,Progress and Trends in Ink-Jet Printing Technology, Journal of ImaginingScience and Technology, Vol. 42, pages 49-62.

A variety of coating techniques may be used to impart color onto avisible surface. Suitable coating techniques are well-known in the artand include, but are not limited to, bead extruders, slot die coaters,spray nozzles, dip tanks, brushes, and combinations thereof. Suitableslot die coaters include the EP11 Applicator available from NordsonCorp., Dawsonville, Ga. or the MR1300 Slot Die Coater available from ITWDynatec Americas, Hendersonville, Tenn. Suitable coatings include, butare not limited to, adhesives, varnishes, latexes, lotions, waxes, andparaffins. The coatings generally will contain a dye, pigment, orcombination.

Color may be imparted to a visible surface by way of impregnation of acolorant into a substrate. Colorants such as dyes, pigments, orcombinations may be impregnated in the formation of substrates such aspolymerics, resins, or nonwovens. For example, the colorant may be addedto molten batch of polymer during film, fiber, or filament formation.

The imparted color is matched according to the Commission Internationalede l'Eclairage L*a*b* color space (hereinafter “CIELab”). CIELab is amathematical tristimulus color scale based on the CIE 1976 standard.CIELab allows colors to be described quantitatively and with precision.As presented in FIG. 2, CIELab allows a color to be plotted inthree-dimensional space analogous to the Cartesian xyz space. CIELab hasthe colors green to red on what is traditionally the x-axis in Cartesianxyz space. CIELab identifies this axis as the a-axis. A negative a*value represents green and a positive a* value represents red. CIELabhas the colors blue to yellow on what is traditionally the y-axis inCartesian xyz space. CIELab identifies this axis as the b-axis. Negativeb* values represent blue and positive b* values represent yellow. CIELabhas lightness on what is traditionally the z-axis in Cartesian xyzspace. CIELab identifies this axis as the L-axis. The L*-axis ranges invalue from 100, which is white, to 0, which is black. An L* value of 50represents a mid-tone gray (provided that a* and b* are 0). Any colormay be plotted in CIELab according to the three values (L*, a*, b*).

The three-dimensional CIELab allows the three color components ofchroma, hue, and lightness to be calculated. Within the two-dimensionalspace formed from the a-axis and b-axis, the components of hue andchroma can be determined. Chroma is the relative saturation of theperceived color and is determined by the distance from the origin asmeasured in the a*b* plane. Chroma, for a particular (a*, b*) set iscalculated according to the following formula: C*=√{square root over(a*²+b*²)}. For example, a color with a*b* values of (10,0) wouldexhibit a lesser chroma than a color with a*b* values of (20,0). Thelatter color would qualatively be perceived as being more red than theformer. Hue is the relative red, yellow, green, and blue in a particularcolor. A ray can be created from the origin to any color within thetwo-dimensional a*b* space. Hue is the angle measured from 0° (thepositive a*-axis) to the created ray. Hue can be any value of between 0°to 360°. Lightness is determined from the L* value with higher valuesbeing more white and lower values being more black.

Color matching of two or more elements comprising a visible surface,wherein each visible surface comprises an imparted color, can bedetermined by color space volume, total color difference, and huedifference. One embodiment of the present invention is color matching oftwo or more visible surfaces of differing elements such that theimparted colors occupy a defined CIELab color space volume.Characterizing color matching within a volume is desirable such that thevolume accounts for and considers all three dimensions within CIELab.While not being limited to the theory, such a three-dimensionalmeasurement is believed to more fully characterize the difference in twocolors. The CIELab color space volume (V), for a first color (L*₁, a*₁,b*₁) and a second color (L*₂, a*₂, b*₂), is calculated according to thefollowing formula:

$V = \; {\frac{4}{3}\pi {\frac{\Delta \; L^{*}}{2}}{\frac{\Delta \; a^{*}}{2}}{{\frac{\Delta \; b^{*}}{2}}.}}$

Within the formula, ΔL* is the difference in L* values between the twocolors and is calculated by: ΔL*=L^(*) ₂−L*₁. The Δa* is the differencein a* values between the two colors and is calculated by: Δa*=a*₂−a*₁.The Δb* is the difference in b* values between the two colors and iscalculated by: Δb*=b*₂−b*₁. The CIELab color space volume results in asolid substantially ellipsoidal in shape; however, if ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb*are equal, the solid will be spherical. As used herein, a “solid” refersto the mathematical concept of a three-dimensional figure having length,breadth and height (or depth). An ellipsoidal volume is preferred tocalculate volume because an ellipsoid generally requires the dimensionaldifferences of ΔL*, Δa*, and Δb* to be relatively more uniform thanother solids. Furthermore, it is believed that ellipsoidal volumes aremore visually acceptable (i.e., less detectable color mismatch by humanperception) than other shaped volumes.

Ideally, the imparted colors of at least two visible surfaces ofdiscrete elements will occupy a CIELab color space volume of less thanabout 190. The visible surfaces are analyzed according to the TestMethod described below. Upon analysis, the inherent color of an elementcomprising a visible surface will yield L*, a*, and b* coordinates. TheCIELab color space volume is then calculated utilizing the formulapresented above. The resulting volume will preferably be less than about190. More preferably, the resulting volume will be less than about 150.Even more preferably, the resulting volume will be less than about 100.

It should be recognized that the imparted colors of more than twodiscrete elements having a visible surface may occupy the aforementionedCIELab color space volumes. In calculating the color space volume formore than two elements, volume is calculated using the maximum andminimum L*, a*, and b* from a set of elements. A given set of elementswill yield a set of L*, a*, and b* values. A maximum color value isselected by taking the maximum L*, the maximum a*, and the maximum b*from the set of L*, a*, and b* values. Likewise, a minimum color valueis selected by taking the minimum L*, the minimum a*, and the minimum b*from the set of L*, a*, and b* values. The maximum color values andminimum color values are used to calculate V according to the formulapresented above. Preferably, the imparted colors of more than twodiscrete elements having a visible surface will occupy the volume. Morepreferably, the imparted colors of more than three discrete elementshaving a visible surface will occupy the volume.

One embodiment of the present invention is color matching of visiblesurfaces such that the colors may have a specified CIELab color spacetotal color difference (ΔE). Characterizing color matching by the totalcolor difference is desirable in that total color difference accountsfor and considers all three dimensions within CIELab. While not beinglimited to this theory, such a three-dimensional measurement is believedto more fully characterize the difference in two colors. The total colordifference represents the distance between two points within CIELabcolor space. The CIELab color space total color difference (ΔE) for afirst color (L*₁, a*₁, b*₁) and a second color (L*₂, a*₂, b*₂), iscalculated according to the following formula: ΔE=√{square root over((ΔL*)²+(Δa*)²+(Δb*)²)}. Within said formula, ΔL* is the difference inL* values between the two colors and is calculated by: ΔL*=L*₂−L*₁. TheΔa* is the difference in a* values between the two colors and iscalculated by: Δa*=a*₂−a*₁. The Δb* is the difference in b* valuesbetween the two colors and is calculated by: Δb*=b*₂−b*₁.

Ideally, at least two elements comprising a visible surface eachcomprising an imparted color may have a CIELab color space total colordifference of less than about 10. The visible surfaces are analyzedaccording to the Test Method described below. Upon analysis, theinherent color of an element comprising a visible surface will yield L*,a*, and b* coordinates. The CIELab color space total color difference isthen calculated utilizing the formula presented above. The resulting ΔEwill preferably be less than about 10. Even more preferably, theresulting ΔE will be less than about 8.

It should be recognized that imparted colors of more than two discreteelements having a visible surface may have the aforementioned CIELabcolor space total color difference. Preferably, the imparted colors ofmore than two discrete elements having a visible surface will be lessthan the aforementioned ΔE. More preferably, the imparted colors of morethan three discrete elements having a visible surface will be less thanthe aforementioned ΔE. Comparing more than two elements implies that, nomatter which two elements having a visible surface containing theimparted color are compared, the resulting total color difference willbe less than the aforementioned ΔE values.

One embodiment of the present invention is color matching of visiblesurfaces such that the colors have a specified CIELab color space huedifference (ΔH). Characterizing color matching by the hue difference isdesirable in that hue difference accounts for and considers all threedimensions within CIELab. While not being limited to this theory, such athree-dimensional measurement is believed to more fully characterize thedifference in two colors. The hue difference represents the distancebetween two points within CIELab color space. The CIELab color space huedifference (ΔH) for a first color (L*₁, a*₁, b*₁) and a second color(L*₂, a*₂, b*₂), is calculated according to the following formula:ΔH=√{square root over ((ΔE)²−(ΔC)²−(ΔL*)²)}. Within said formula, ΔE isthe CIELab color space total color difference between the two colors andis calculated as presented above. The ΔC is the CIELab color spacechroma difference between the two colors and is calculated by:ΔC=√{square root over (a*₂ ²+b*₂ ²)}−√{square root over (a*₁ ²+b*₁ ²)}.The ΔL* is the difference in L* values between the two colors and iscalculated by: ΔL*=L*₂−L*₁

Ideally, at least two visible surfaces each comprising an imparted colormay have a CIELab color space hue difference of less than about 4. Thevisible surfaces are analyzed according to the Test Method describedbelow. Upon analysis, the inherent color of an element comprising avisible surface will yield L*, a*, and b* coordinates. Two elements areselected and the L*, a*, and b* values of the elements are inserted intothe formula presented above to result in a hue difference. The resultinghue difference will preferably be less than about 4. More preferably,the resulting ΔH will be less than about 3. Most preferably, theresulting ΔH will be less than about 1.

It should be recognized that imparted colors of more than two discreteelements having a visible surface may have the aforementioned CIELabcolor space hue difference. Preferably, the imparted colors of more thantwo discrete elements having a visible surface will be less than theaforementioned ΔH. More preferably, the imparted colors of more thanthree discrete elements having a visible surface will be less than theaforementioned ΔH. Comparing more than two elements implies that, nomatter which two elements having a visible surface containing theimparted color are compared, the resulting hue difference will be lessthan the aforementioned ΔH values.

The testing and comparison of visible surfaces occurs between discreteelements of diaper construction each having at least one visiblesurface. A permissible comparison would be, for example, between thevisible surface of the backsheet and the visible surface of the sidepanel. A comparison should not be done between like elements (e.g., acomparison between one ear and another ear). Furthermore, a comparisonshould not be done between two sample regions on a single element ofdiaper construction (e.g., a comparison between two points on abacksheet). Visible surfaces were tested for reflective color utilizingthe standardized procedure as described below.

One embodiment of an absorbent article of the present invention is theunitary disposable absorbent article, diaper 20, shown in FIG. 1. Theportion of the diaper 20 that is wearer-facing is oriented toward theviewer. The diaper 20 may comprise a liquid pervious topsheet 24, aliquid impervious backsheet 26; an absorbent core 28, which ispreferably positioned between at least a portion of the topsheet 24 andthe backsheet 26; side panels 30; elasticized leg cuffs 32; an elasticwaist feature 34; and a fastening system generally designated 40. Diaper20 may have a front waist region 36, a rear waist region 38 opposed tothe first waist region 36 and a crotch region 37 located between thefront waist region and the rear waist region. The periphery of thediaper 20 may be defined by the outer edges of the diaper 20 in whichthe longitudinal edges 50 run generally parallel to the longitudinalcenterline 100 of the diaper 20 and the end edges 52 run between thelongitudinal edges 50 generally parallel to the lateral centerline 110of the diaper 20.

The chassis 22 of the diaper 20 may comprise the main body of the diaper20. The chassis 22 may comprise at least a portion of the absorbent core28 and preferably the topsheet 24 and the backsheet 26. For unitaryabsorbent articles, the chassis 22 may comprise the main structure ofthe diaper with other features added to form the composite diaperstructure. While the topsheet 24, the backsheet 26, and the absorbentcore 28 may be assembled in a variety of well-known configurations,preferred diaper configurations are described generally in U.S. Pat. No.3,860,003 to Kenneth B. Buell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell;U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issued to Buell; U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,145 issuedto Roe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,234 issued to Buell et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 5,580,411 issued to Nease et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,306 issuedto Robles et al. entitled “Absorbent Article With Multi-DirectionalExtensible Side Panels”.

The backsheet 26 is generally that portion of the diaper 20 positionedadjacent the garment facing surface of the absorbent core 28 whichprevents the exudates absorbed and contained therein from soilingarticles which may contact the diaper 20, such as bedsheets andundergarments. In certain embodiments, the backsheet 26 may beimpervious to liquids (e.g., urine) and comprises a thin plastic filmsuch as a thermoplastic film having a thickness of about 0.012 mm (0.5mil) to about 0.051 mm (2.0 mils). Suitable backsheet films includethose manufactured by Tredegar Industries Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind. andsold under the trade names X15306, X10962 and X10964. Other suitablebacksheet materials may include breathable materials that permit vaporsto escape from the diaper 20 while still preventing exudates frompassing through the backsheet 26. Exemplary breathable materials mayinclude materials such as woven webs, nonwoven webs, composite materialssuch as film-coated nonwoven webs, and microporous films such asmanufactured by Mitsui Toatsu Co., of Japan under the designation ESPOIRNO and by EXXON Chemical Co., of Bay City, Tex., under the designationEXXAIRE and monolithic films and composites such as manufactured byClopay Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio under the name HYTREL blendP18-3097. Some breathable composite materials are described in greaterdetail in PCT Application No. WO 95/16746 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,823.Other breathable backsheets including nonwoven webs and apertured formedfilms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,096. The backsheet 26, or anyportion thereof, may be elastically extensible in one or moredirections. In one embodiment, the backsheet 26 may comprise astructural elastic-like film (“SELF”) web as described in more detail inU.S. Pat. No. 5,518,801. In alternate embodiments, the backsheet 26 maycomprise elastomeric films, foams, strands, or combinations of these orother suitable materials with nonwovens or synthetic films.

The backsheet 26 may be joined to the topsheet 24, the absorbent core 28or any other element of the diaper 20 by any attachment means known inthe art. For example, the attachment means may include a uniformcontinuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive, or an arrayof separate lines, spirals, or spots of adhesive. One attachment meansinvolves an open pattern network of filaments of adhesive as disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,986. Other suitable attachment means includeseveral lines of adhesive filaments which are swirled into a spiralpattern, as is illustrated by the apparatus and methods shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 3,911,173; 4,785,996; and 4,842,666. Exemplary adhesives aremanufactured by H.B. Fuller Company of St. Paul, Minn. and marketed asHL-1620 and HL-1358-XZP. Alternatively, the attachment means maycomprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamicmechanical bonds, or any other suitable attachment means or combinationsof these attachment means as are known in the art.

The topsheet 24 may be positioned adjacent the wearer facing surface ofthe absorbent core 28 and may be partially or wholly joined theretoand/or to the backsheet 26 by any attachment means known in the art.Suitable attachment means are described above with respect to means forjoining the backsheet 26 to other elements of the diaper 20. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the topsheet 24 and the backsheet26 may be joined directly to each other in some locations and areindirectly joined together in other locations by directly joining themto other elements of the diaper 20. The topsheet 24 may comprise one ormore apertures to ease penetration of exudates therethrough, such asurine and/or feces (solid, semi-solid, or liquid).

Further, the topsheet 24 may be fully or partially elasticated or may beforeshortened so as to provide a void space between the topsheet 24 andthe core 28. Exemplary structures including elasticized or foreshortenedtopsheets are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,892,536;4,990,147; 5,037,416; and 5,269,775.

The topsheet 24 may be compliant, soft feeling, and non-irritating tothe wearer's skin. Further, at least a portion of the topsheet 24 may beliquid previous, permitting liquids to readily penetrate through itsthickness. At least a portion of the topsheet 24 may be impermeable toliquids and solids or semi-solids or may be permeable to exudates onlyin a direction away from the wearer. Further, the topsheet 24 mayinclude regions of differing permeability. The topsheet 24 mayadditionally comprise a multiplicity of secondary apertures as describedin more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,338.

A suitable topsheet 24 may be manufactured from a wide range ofmaterials, such as porous foams; reticulated foams; apertured plasticfilms; or woven or nonwoven webs of natural fibers (e.g., wood or cottonfibers), synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester or polypropylene fibers), ora combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the topsheet includesfibers, the fibers may be spunbond, carded, wet-laid, meltblown,hydroentangled, or otherwise processed as is known in the art. Onesuitable topsheet 24 comprising a web of staple length polypropylenefibers is manufactured by BBA Nonwovens, Old Hickory, Tenn., under thedesignation P-8.

Suitable formed film topsheets are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,929,135; 4,324,246; 4,342,314; 4,463,045; and 5,006,394. Othersuitable topsheets may be made in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos.4,609,518 and 4,629,643. Such formed films are available from TredegarCorporation of Terre Haute, Indiana as “CLIFF-T” and/or “DRI-WEAVE”.

At least a portion of the topsheet 24 may be made of a hydrophobicmaterial or is treated to be hydrophobic in order to isolate thewearer's skin from liquids contained in the absorbent core 28. If thetopsheet 24 is made of a hydrophobic material, at least a portion of theupper surface of the topsheet 24 may be treated to be hydrophilic sothat liquids will transfer through the topsheet more rapidly. Thetopsheet 24 can be rendered hydrophilic by treating it with a surfactantor by incorporating a surfactant into the topsheet. Suitable methods fortreating the topsheet 24 with a surfactant include spraying the topsheet24 material with the surfactant and immersing the material into thesurfactant. A more detailed discussion of such a treatment andhydrophilicity is contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,344. A more detaileddiscussion of some suitable methods for incorporating surfactant in thetopsheet can be found in U.S. Statutory Invention Registration No.H1670, published on Jul. 1, 1997, in the names of Aziz et al.Alternatively, the topsheet 24 may include an apertured web or filmwhich is hydrophobic. This may be accomplished eliminating thehydrophilizing treatment step from the production process and/orapplying a hydrophobic treatment to the topsheet 24, such as a fluoryl,paraffin, or silicone-based compound like Repellan ZN by CognisCorporation, a hydrophobic surface coating as described in copendingU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/543,785, which was filed Feb. 11,2004, or a hydrophobic lotion composition.

Any portion of the topsheet 24 may be coated with a lotion as is knownin the art. Examples of suitable lotions include those described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,607,760; 5,609,587; 5,635,191 issued to Roe et al.; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,643,588 issued to Roe et al. The lotion may function alone orin combination with another agent as the hydrophobizing treatmentdescribed above.

The absorbent core 28 may comprise any absorbent material which isgenerally compressible, conformable, non-irritating to the wearer'sskin, and capable of absorbing and retaining liquids such as urine andother certain body exudates. The absorbent core 28 may be manufacturedin a wide variety of sizes and shapes (e.g., rectangular, hourglass,“T”-shaped, asymmetric, etc.) and may comprise a wide variety ofliquid-absorbent materials commonly used in disposable diapers and otherabsorbent articles such as comminuted wood pulp, which is generallyreferred to as airfelt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materialsinclude creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers, including coform;chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers;tissue, including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; absorbent foams;absorbent sponges; superabsorbent polymers; absorbent gelling materials;or any other known absorbent material or combinations of materials.

The configuration and construction of the absorbent core 28 may also bevaried (e.g., the absorbent core(s) or other absorbent structure(s) mayhave varying caliper zones, a hydrophilic gradient, a superabsorbentgradient, or lower average density and lower average basis weightacquisition zones; or may comprise one or more layers or structures).Exemplary absorbent structures for use as the absorbent core aredescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,678 issued to Weisman et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 4,673,402 to Weisman et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,735, issued toAlemany et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,231 issued to Angstadt; U.S. Pat.No. 5,137,537 issued to Herron; U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,345 issued to Younget al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,338 issued to Roe; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,345issued to DesMarais; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,207 issued to Dyer et al.; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,625,222 issued to DesMarais et al.

The diaper 20 may also comprise at least one elastic waist feature 34that helps to provide improved fit and containment. The elastic waistfeature 34 is generally intended to elastically expand and contract todynamically fit the wearer's waist. The elastic waist feature 34preferably extends at least longitudinally outwardly from at least onewaist edge of the absorbent core 28 and generally forms at least aportion of the end edge 52 of the diaper 20. Disposable diapers areoften constructed so as to have two elastic waist features, onepositioned in the front waist region 36 and one positioned in the rearwaist region 38. Further, while the elastic waist feature 34 or any ofits constituent elements may comprise one or more separate elementsaffixed to the diaper 20, the elastic waist feature 34 may beconstructed as an extension of other elements of the diaper 20, such asthe backsheet 26, the topsheet 24, or both the backsheet 26 and thetopsheet 24.

The elastic waist feature 34 may be constructed in a number of differentconfigurations including those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,595issued to Kievit et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,710,189 issued to Lash; U.S.Pat. No. 5,151,092 issued to Buell; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,221,274 issuedto Buell. Other suitable waist configurations may include waistcapfeatures such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,364 issued toRobertson and U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,025 issued to Forema.

The diaper 20 may also include a fastening system 40. The fasteningsystem 40 preferably maintains the front waist region 36 and the rearwaist region 38 in a configuration so as to provide lateral tensionabout the circumference of the diaper 20 to hold the diaper 20 on thewearer. The fastening system 40 preferably comprises tape tabs and/orhook and loop fastening mechanisms, although any other known fasteningmeans are generally acceptable. Preferably, the fastening system 40 mayinclude at least one engaging adhesive and/or hook or loop bearing tab41 and at least one landing zone 42 to accept the tab. In such anembodiment, the tab 41 and landing zone 42 may be separate elements.Some exemplary fastening systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,848,594 issued to Buell; U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,875 issued to Hirotsu etal.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,815 issued to Scripps; U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,060issued to Nestegard; U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,527 issued to Battrell; andU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,151,092 and 5,221,274. Another exemplary fasteningsystem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,432,098 issued to Kline et al. onAug. 13, 2002. The fastening system may also provide a means for holdingthe article in a disposal configuration as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,963,140 issued to Robertson et al. The fastening system may alsoinclude primary and secondary fastening systems, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,699,622 to reduce shifting of overlapped portions or toimprove fit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,436; 5,499,978;5,507,736; and 5,591,152. In alternative embodiments, opposing sides ofthe garment may be seamed or welded to form a pant. This allows thearticle to be used as a pull-on diaper or training pant.

The diaper 20 may also comprise side panels 30. The side panels 30 maybe elastic or extensible to provide a more comfortable and contouringfit. The diaper 20 may be provided with side panels 30 disposed in thefront waist region 36 or in both the front waist region 36 and the rearwaist region 38. The side panels 30 may be constructed in any suitableconfigurations. Examples of diapers with elasticized side panels aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,067, issued to Wood, et al.; U.S. Pat.No. 4,381,781 issued to Sciaraffa, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,753issued to Van Gompel, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,092 and U.S. Pat. No.5,221,274; U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,897 issued to LaVon, et al.; and U.S.Pat. No. 6,004,306 issued to Robles et al. The diaper 20 may becomprised of at least one side panel 30 positioned in the front waistregion 36 and at least one side panel 30 positioned in the rear waistregion 38. Side panels may also be referred to as ears or ear flaps.

The diaper 20 may further include leg cuffs 32 which provide improvedcontainment of liquids and other body exudates. Leg cuffs may also bereferred to as leg bands, side flaps, barrier cuffs, or elastic cuffs.U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,003 describes a disposable diaper which provides acontractible leg opening having a side flap and one or more elasticmembers to provide an elasticized leg cuff (a gasketing cuff). U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,808,178 and 4,909,803 issued to Aziz et al. describe disposablediapers having “stand-up” elasticized flaps (barrier cuffs) whichimprove the containment of the leg regions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,695,278 and4,795,454 issued to Lawson and to Dragoo, respectively, describedisposable diapers having dual cuffs, including gasketing cuffs andbarrier cuffs. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to treat all ora portion of the leg cuffs with a lotion, as described above. A typicalleg cuff 32 design comprises at least one elastic strand interposedbetween two surfaces of at least one substrate.

Embodiments of the present invention may also include pockets forreceiving and containing waste, spacers which provide voids for waste,barriers for limiting the movement of waste in the article, compartmentsor voids which accept and contain waste materials deposited in thediaper, and the like, or any combinations thereof. Examples of pocketsand spacers for use in absorbent products are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,514,121 issued to Roe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,236 issued to Dreieret al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,318 issued to Dreier; U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,671issued to Dreier; U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,584 issued to Allen et al.; andU.S. Pat. No. 5,306,266 issued to Freeland. Examples of compartments orvoids are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,312 issued to Khan; U.S. Pat.No. 4,990,147, issued to Freeland on Feb. 5, 1991; U.S. Pat. No.5,062,840 issued to Holt et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,755 issued toFreeland et al. Examples of suitable transverse barriers are describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,142 issued to Dreier et al.; U.S. Pat. No.6,010,490 issued to Freeland et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,703 issuedto Roe, et al. Furthermore, a handle may be provided on the diaper suchas described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/774,768 in the nameof Ashton et al. filed Feb. 9, 2004.

Test Method

Visible surfaces are tested in a dry state and at an ambient humidity ofapproximately 50%±2%. Reflectance color is measured using the Hunter LabLabScan XE reflectance spectrophotometer obtained from Hunter AssociatesLaboratory of Reston, Va. The spectrophotometer is set to the CIELabcolor scale and with a D50 illumination. The Observer is set at 10° andthe Mode is set at 45/0°. Area View is set to 0.125″ and Port Size isset to 0.20″ for films; Area View is set to 1.00″ and Port Size is setto 1.20″ for nonwovens and other materials. The spectrophotometer iscalibrated prior to sample analysis utilizing the black and whitereference tiles supplied from the vendor with the instrument.Calibration is done according to the manufacturer's instructions as setforth in LabScan XE User's Manual, Manual Version 1.1, August 2001,A60-1010-862. If cleaning is required of the reference tiles or samples,only tissues that do not contain embossing, lotion, or brightenersshould be used (e.g., Puffs® tissue). Any sample point on the visiblesurface of the element containing the imparted color to be analyzedshould be selected. Ideally, sample points are selected so as to beclose in perceived color. A single ply of the element is placed over thespectrophotometer's sample port. A single ply, as used within the testmethod, means that the visible surface of the element is not folded.Thus, a single ply of a visible surface may include the sampling of alaminate, which itself is comprised of more than one lamina. The samplepoint comprising the color to be analyzed must be larger than the sampleport to ensure accurate measurements. A white tile, as supplied by themanufacturer, is placed behind the visible surface. The L*, a*, and b*values are read and recorded. The visible surface is removed andrepositioned so that a minimum of six readings are obtained for thevisible surface. If possible (e.g., the size of the imparted color onthe element in question does not limit the ability to have sixdiscretely different, non-overlapping sample points), each of thereadings is to be performed at a substantially different region on thevisible surface so that no two sample points overlap. If the size of theimparted color region requires overlapping of sample points, only sixsamples should be taken with the sample points selected to minimizeoverlap between any two sample points. The readings are averaged toyield the reported L*, a*, and b* values for a specified color on avisible surface of an element.

In calculating the color space volume, V, maximum and minimum L*, a*,and b* values are determined for a particular set of elements to becolor matched. The maximum and minimum L*, a*, and b* values are used tocalculate V according to the formula presented above.

Examples

A disposable diaper is to be tested having the same general constructionas the PAMPERS® Cruisers size 4 diaper. Suitable diaper construction isdetailed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,860,003, 4,636,207, 4,695,278, 4,704,115,4,795,454, 4,900,317, 4,909,803 (Reissued as U.S. Pat. No. RE34920),U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,085,654, 5,492,751, 6,476,288 and SIR H1630. The diaperof Example 1 is substantially the same as those commercially availableexcept for the backsheet, front ear, fastening tape tab, and landingzone. The backsheet is a laminate of a polymeric film and a nonwovenbacksheet bonded by an adhesive. A suitable film is a polypropylene filmis available as product code APA121P from Clopay Plastic Products Co.,Mason, Ohio. This film is printed by flexographic printing. The film isfurther processed by adhering a nonwoven web. A suitable nonwoven web isa carded nonwoven available from BBA Nonwovens, Old Hickory, Tenn.,under the supplier code FPN372D. The film and web are attached togetherby use of an adhesive such as Fuller 1358X available from H.B. FullerCompany, St. Paul, Minn. The attachment means preferably comprises anopen pattern network of filaments of adhesive as is disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,573,986, issued to Minetola, et al. The front ear is anonwoven composite available from RKW AG Rheinische Kunststoffwerke,Germany, under the supplier code USB217. The nonwoven is colored bycolor impregation. The fastening tape is a nonwoven/polymer filmlaminate available from 3M, Minneapolis, Minn., under supplier codeEFT2070. The fastening tape is a nonwoven into which colored polymericfilm is extruded. The polymeric film is colored by impregnation. Thelanding zone is a printed film/nonwoven laminate available from 3M,Minneapolis, Minn., under the supplier code EBL. The film is colored bythe gravure printing.

The backsheet, front ear, fastening tape tab, and landing zone of theexample are tested according to the test method described above. Thefour points tested (backsheet, landing zone, front ear, and tape tab)fall within a color space volume of 97 according to the calculationdescribed above.

Table 1 provides that three elements (front ear, backsheet, tape tab)have a maximum ΔE* of 7.9. Calculation of ΔE* is performed on anelement-to-element basis as described above. Given the three elements,three comparisons may be performed: backsheet-front ear, backsheet-tapetab, and front ear-tape tab. The ΔE* values for the three comparisonsare 4.0, 7.9, and 4.6, respectively. In light of these values, the threeelements are color matched in that all of the comparisons result intotal color differences of less than about 10.

TABLE 1 ΔE* Landing Zone Front Ear Tape Tab Backsheet 10.1 4.0 7.9Landing Zone — 9.5 9.3 Front Ear — — 4.6

Table 2 provides that three elements (backsheet, landing zone, and frontear) have a maximum ΔH* of 0.9. Calculation of ΔH* is performed on anelement-to-element basis as described above. Given the three elements,three comparisons may be performed: backsheet-landing zone,backsheet-front ear, and landing zone-front ear. The ΔH* values for thethree comparisons are 0.6, 0.9, and 0.0, respectively. In light of thesevalues, the three elements are color matched in that all of thecomparisons result in hue difference of less than 4.

TABLE 2 ΔH* Landing Zone Front Ear Tape Tab Backsheet 0.6 0.9 1.6Landing Zone — 0.0 1.6 Front Ear — — 2.4

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description are in relevant partincorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not tobe construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable absorbent article comprising one ormore regions, wherein the absorbent article further comprises threediscrete, unlike elements disposed on the one or more regions, each ofthe three discrete, unlike elements comprising a wearer-facing surfaceand a garment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facingsurface, wherein each of the wearer-facing surfaces of two of the threediscrete, unlike elements comprising an internally visible surface whenviewing the wearer-facing surface while the absorbent article isstretched such that the absorbent article is substantially planar, andwherein the garment-facing surface of one of the three discrete, unlikeelements comprising an externally visible surface when viewing thegarment-facing surface while the absorbent article is fitted to awearer, and wherein each externally visible surface and each internallyvisible surface comprises an imparted color, and wherein the impartedcolors of the three discrete, unlike elements are within a CIELab colorspace volume of less than about
 190. 2. The disposable absorbent articleof claim 1, wherein the one or more regions comprise a front waistregion, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed between thefront waist region and the rear waist region.
 3. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 1, wherein the CIELab color space volume isless than about
 150. 4. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1,wherein the CIELab color space volume is less than about
 100. 5. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the three discrete,unlike elements include at least one of a backsheet, a leg cuff, a waistfeature, a fastening system, a landing zone, a side panel, a handle, anda fastening tab.
 6. The disposable absorbent article of claim 1, whereinthe imparted colors are imparted by a method selected from the group ofprinting, impregnating, coating, and combinations thereof.
 7. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 1, wherein the internally visiblesurfaces and the externally visible surfaces of the three discrete,unlike elements comprise materials selected from the group consisting ofnonwovens, wovens, films, and combinations thereof.
 8. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 1, comprising a fourth discrete, unlikeelement comprising a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surfaceoriented opposite the wearer-facing surface, wherein the wearer-facingsurface of the fourth discrete, unlike element comprises an internallyvisible surface when viewing the wearer-facing surface while theabsorbent article is stretched such that the absorbent article issubstantially planar and wherein the internally visible surfacecomprises the imparted color, and wherein the imparted color of thefourth discrete, unlike element is within the CIELab color space volumeof less than about
 190. 9. A disposable absorbent article comprising oneor more regions, wherein the absorbent article further comprises threediscrete, unlike element disposed on the one or more regions, each ofthe three discrete, unlike elements comprising a wearer-facing surfaceand a garment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facingsurface, each of the wearer-facing surfaces of two of the threediscrete, unlike elements comprising an internally visible surface whenviewing the wearer-facing surface while the absorbent article isstretched such that the absorbent article is substantially planar, andthe garment-facing surface of one of the three discrete, unlike elementscomprising an externally visible surface when viewing the garment-facingsurface while the absorbent article is fitted to a wearer, and whereineach externally visible surface and each internally visible surfacecomprises an imparted color, and wherein the imparted colors of thethree discrete, unlike elements are within a CIELab color space huedifference of less than about
 4. 10. The disposable absorbent article ofclaim 9, wherein the CIELab color space hue difference is less thanabout
 2. 11. The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein theCIELab color space hue difference is less than about
 1. 12. Thedisposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the three discrete,unlike elements include at least one of a backsheet, a leg cuff, a waistfeature, a fastening system, a landing zone, a side panel, a handle, anda fastening tab.
 13. The disposable absorbent article of claim 9,wherein the imparted colors are imparted by a method selected from thegroup of printing, impregnating, coating, and combinations thereof. 14.The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the internallyvisible surfaces and the externally visible surface of the threediscrete, unlike elements comprise materials selected from the groupconsisting of nonwovens, wovens, films, and combinations thereof. 15.The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein the one or moreregions comprise a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotchregion disposed between the front waist region and the rear waistregion.
 16. The disposable absorbent article of claim 9, wherein thedisposable absorbent article is a diaper, a training pant, a sanitarynapkin, a pantiliner, or an incontinence brief.
 17. A disposableabsorbent article comprising one or more regions, wherein the absorbentarticle further comprises three discrete, unlike elements disposed onthe one or more regions, each of the three discrete, unlike elementscomprising a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surface orientedopposite the wearer-facing surface, the wearer-facing surface of two ofthe three discrete, unlike element comprises an internally visiblesurface when viewing the wearer-facing surface while the absorbentarticle is stretched such that the absorbent article is substantiallyplanar, and the garment-facing surface of one of the three discrete,unlike elements comprising an externally visible surface when viewingthe garment-facing surface while the absorbent article is fitted to awearer, and wherein each of the externally visible surface and theinternally visible surface comprising an imparted color, and wherein theimparted colors of the three discrete, unlike elements are within aCIELab total color difference of less than about
 10. 18. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 17, wherein the CIELab total color differenceis less than about
 8. 19. The disposable absorbent article of claim 17,wherein the three discrete, unlike elements include at least one of abacksheet, a leg cuff, a waist feature, a fastening system, a landingzone, a side panel, a handle, and a fastening tab.
 20. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 17, wherein the imparted colors are impartedby a method selected from the group of printing, impregnating, coating,and combinations thereof.
 21. The disposable absorbent article of claim17, wherein the internally visible surfaces and the externally visiblesurfaces of the three discrete, unlike elements comprise materialsselected from the group consisting of nonwovens, wovens, films, andcombinations thereof.
 22. The disposable absorbent article of claim 17,comprising a fourth discrete, unlike element comprising a wearer-facingsurface and a garment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facingsurface, wherein the wearer-facing surface of the fourth discrete,unlike element comprises an internally visible surface when viewing thewearer-facing surface while the absorbent article is stretched such thatthe absorbent article is substantially planar and wherein the internallyvisible surface comprises the imparted color, and wherein the impartedcolor of the fourth discrete, unlike element is within the CIELab totalcolor difference of less than about
 10. 23. The disposable absorbentarticle of claim 17, wherein the one or more regions comprise a frontwaist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region disposed betweenthe front waist region and the rear waist region.
 24. The disposableabsorbent article of claim 17, wherein the absorbent article is adiaper, an adult incontinence article, or a feminine protection article.25. A disposable absorbent article comprising a first, a second, and athird discrete, unlike elements, each comprising a wearer-facing surfaceand a garment-facing surface oriented opposite the wearer-facingsurface, each of the wearer-facing surfaces of the first discrete,unlike element and the second, discrete unlike element comprising aninternally visible surface when viewing the wearer-facing surface whilethe absorbent article is stretched such that the absorbent article issubstantially planar, and the garment-facing surface of the thirddiscrete, unlike element comprising an externally visible surface whenviewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbent article is fittedto a wearer, and wherein each internally visible surface and externallyvisible surface comprise an imparted color, wherein at least two of thethree discrete, unlike elements comprise different imparted colors, andwherein the imparted colors of the three discrete, unlike elements arewithin a CIELab color space volume of less than about 190, wherein atleast one discrete element further comprises a laminate material whereinat least one lamina of the laminate material exhibits an imparted colornot within the CIELab color space volume of less than about
 190. 26. Adisposable absorbent article comprising one or more regions, wherein theabsorbent article further comprises three discrete, unlike elementdisposed on the one or more regions, each of the three discrete, unlikeelements comprising a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surfaceoriented opposite the wearer-facing surface, wherein the wearer-facingsurface of one of the three discrete, unlike elements comprising aninternally visible surface when viewing the wearer-facing surface whilethe absorbent article is stretched such that the absorbent article issubstantially planar, and wherein the garment-facing surface of two ofthe three discrete, unlike elements comprising an externally visiblesurface when viewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbentarticle is fitted to a wearer, and wherein each externally visiblesurface and each internally visible surface comprises an imparted color,and wherein the imparted colors of the three discrete, unlike elementsare within a CIELab color space volume of less than about
 190. 27. Adisposable absorbent article comprising one or more regions, wherein theabsorbent article further comprises three discrete, unlike elementdisposed on the one or more regions, each of the three discrete, unlikeelements comprising a wearer-facing surface and a garment-facing surfaceoriented opposite the wearer-facing surface, the wearer-facing surfacesof one of the three discrete, unlike elements comprising an internallyvisible surface when viewing the wearer-facing surface while theabsorbent article is stretched such that the absorbent article issubstantially planar, and each of the garment-facing surfaces of two ofthe three discrete, unlike elements comprising an externally visiblesurface when viewing the garment-facing surface while the absorbentarticle is fitted to a wearer, and wherein each externally visiblesurface and each internally visible surface comprises an imparted color,and wherein the imparted colors of the three discrete, unlike elementsare within a CIELab color space hue difference of less than about 4.